JPS63290772A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To supply an ink in a uniform thickness and prevent a miss of an image or the like from occurring, by setting the gap between an ink-transferring means and a coating means so that the spacing is gradually reduced downstream. CONSTITUTION:A coating means 4 is disposed on the upstream side of an energy-applying means 5 with respect to the rotating direction of an ink- transferring roll 1, at a predeterined distance from the peripheral surface of the roll 1. The gap (d), or the predetermined distance, is so set that the gap d1 on the upstream side with respect to the rotating direction of the roll 1 is greater, the gap (d) is gradually reduced downstream, and the film thickness of an ink layer to be supplied to the roll 1 is restricted by the gap d2 at the most downstream position. The gap d2 is preferably about 0.3-3 mm. With the gap (d) gradually reduced downstream, an ink 2 in an ink reservoir 3 is stirred and mixed, and the restoration of the ink with a crosslinked structure broken by the application of energy is accelerated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a recording device that can record on a recording medium at low cost using fluid ink.

<Prior art> Today, various types of information processing recording methods have been developed that can record on plain paper, such as impact printers, electrophotography, laser beam printers, and thermal transfer printers. ing.

Among these, thermal transfer type recording devices are widely used because they have low noise and can be miniaturized. This recording method uses an ink ribbon made by coating hot-melt ink on a base sheet, heats the ink ribbon in an image pattern with a recording head, and transfers the molten ink to recording paper. This has advantages such as low noise, relatively small device size, and low device cost.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in the conventional thermal transfer method described above, when manufacturing an ink ribbon, it is necessary to apply heat-melting ink onto a heat-resistant base sheet in a complicated process. Furthermore, this ink ribbon is used only once for recording and has to be disposed of, which poses problems such as high running costs.

<Means for Solving the Problems> Therefore, as a means for solving the above problems, the present applicant has developed a method in which fluid ink is transferred in the form of a film using an ink transfer means, and a predetermined amount of energy is applied to this ink. A recording apparatus was proposed that selectively applies pressure to form an ink image imparted with tackiness in an image pattern and transfers this ink image onto a recording medium (Japanese Patent Application No. 175191/1982).

According to this recording device, unlike the conventional thermal transfer method (there is no need to use an ink ribbon, only the ink that forms an ink image is transferred to the recording medium, and the ink that does not form an ink image is repeatedly used). It is something that can be done.

An object of the present invention is to further develop the recording device, and to supply ink to the surface of the ink transport means with a uniform thickness, prevent image waves, etc., and obtain high-quality images. The objective is to provide a recording device that can perform

For this purpose, the means according to the embodiments described below is a recording apparatus capable of transferring fluid ink to a recording medium in response to selective application of energy, and includes an ink transporting means for transporting the fluid ink. and an energy applying means for selectively applying energy to the ink transferred by the ink transporting means, and for transferring the ink whose transfer characteristics have changed in accordance with the selective application of the energy to a recording medium. a coating for supplying ink at a constant thickness to the ink transfer means, which is disposed facing the ink transfer means upstream of the energy application means in the direction in which the ink is transferred by the ink transfer means. and a gap between the ink transporting means and the coating means gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side.

According to the above means, a layer of fluid ink is formed with a uniform thickness on the ink transport means by the coating means, the layer is transported by the ink transport means, and energy is applied to the ink according to the image signal. By applying the ink, an ink image with changed transfer characteristics is formed, and a predetermined image is recorded by transferring the ink image to a recording medium.

Further, the ink that has not been transferred to the recording medium is supplied to the ink transport means again, but since the gap between the ink transport means and the coating means is set to gradually become smaller from upstream to downstream, the ink passes through the gap. It is supplied after being stirred and mixed at the same time.

<Example> Next, an example of a recording apparatus to which the above means is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram of the recording device according to the first embodiment, and FIG.
The figure is a perspective explanatory view thereof.

First, to explain the overall general configuration, an ink transfer roll l serving as an ink transfer means is provided so as to be rotatable in the direction of arrow A (clockwise) while transferring fluid ink 2 contained in an ink reservoir 3. There is.

The ink 2 has fluid film-forming properties, and is substantially non-adhesive under normal conditions, as will be described later, but has the property of becoming adhesive when a predetermined energy, such as electrical energy, is applied. Therefore, when the ink transfer roll 1 rotates, the coating means 4 transfers the ink to the surface of the ink transfer roll 1 in a constant layer thickness in the direction of arrow A.

Electric energy is applied to the ink 2 formed in a certain layer on the surface of the ink transfer roll 1 in an image pattern by an energy applying means 5 controlled by a control means (not shown), and this energy application causes the ink to become sticky. An applied ink image 2a is formed. This sticky ink image 2a comes into contact with an intermediate transfer roll 6, which is an intermediate transfer medium, rotating in the direction of arrow B (counterclockwise) and is transferred onto the surface of the roll 6. On the other hand, the ink 2 that has not been transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6 is transferred to the ink transfer roll 1.
As the ink rotates, the ink is reaccommodated in the ink reservoir 3, and the ink is stirred and mixed within the ink reservoir 3.

The ink image 2a transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6 is transferred between the intermediate transfer roll 6 and a transfer roll 7, which serves as a transfer means and is provided in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer roll 6 and is rotatable in the direction of arrow C (clockwise). The recording paper 8 on which a predetermined image has been recorded is transferred onto a recording medium (for example, plain paper, plastic sheet, etc., hereinafter referred to as "recording paper 1") 8 that is conveyed between It is discharged in the direction (to the left in Figure 1).

Next, the configuration of each part of the recording apparatus will be explained in detail.

The ink transfer roll 1 is made of a material that can transfer fluid ink 2, which will be described later, by forming a film on its surface. The body is formed into a cylindrical shape, and is configured to be driven and rotated at a constant speed in the direction of arrow A by a drive means (not shown).

The surface of the ink transfer roll 10 made of the above-mentioned material may be a smooth surface, but in order to further improve the transferability of the fluid ink 2, it is preferable that the surface be appropriately roughened.

Next, the fluid ink 2 transported by the ink transport roll 1 will be explained. This ink 2 has a fluid film-forming property that flows under the application of a certain external force and forms an ink film. Specifically, as the ink transport roll 1 rotates, an ink layer is formed on the surface of the roll 1 and is transported. Further, it is preferable that the ink 2 has a property of being able to restore its adhesiveness over time after being cut by an external force. That is, it is preferable that the ink lumps have a property such that when they come into contact with each other, the interface disappears and they become one piece.

The ink 2 having the above-mentioned properties may be an ink having a gel state in a broad sense in which the solvent is held by a cross-linked structure substance, or particles (preferably having a particle size of 0.5 cps) in a relatively high viscosity (preferably 5000 cps or more) solvent. 1-100n,
More desirably, an ink having a sludge state in which 1 to 20 n) is dispersed is preferably used. Inks having properties of both gel-like inks and sludge-like inks are more preferably used. This ink 2
Specific examples include, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 61-175191 or No. 62-36904 previously filed by the applicant.
Preferably, the inks described in No. 1, etc.

Such an ink 2 has fluid film-forming properties, but is substantially sticky and becomes sticky when a predetermined energy (for example, electrical energy, thermal energy, etc.) is applied. have a property. Note that "adhesiveness" herein refers to selective adhesiveness, and when the ink 2 is brought into contact with an object such as the intermediate transfer roll 6, a part of the ink 2 separates from the entire ink and adheres to the object. It doesn't matter whether the ink is sticky or not.

Therefore, when the ink layer formed on the surface of the ink transfer roll l is in a state where no energy is applied, even if the ink 2 comes into contact with another medium, for example, the intermediate transfer roll 6, the ink layer is not applied to the intermediate transfer roll 6. is not substantially transferred. This is because in gel-like ink, the solvent is held in a crosslinked structure (except for a small amount of solvent), unless the ink is transferred to the intermediate transfer port 6. It is also believed that when the ink is in a sludge state, the particles are arranged closely at the interface, making it difficult for the solvent bones in the ink to come into contact with the intermediate transfer roll 6, and thus not being transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6.

On the other hand, when energy is applied to the gel-like ink or sludge-like ink, the crosslinking structure of the gel-like ink and the particle arrangement state of the sludge-like ink change, resulting in It is thought that adhesiveness is imparted to the fluid ink in accordance with the application of energy.

Furthermore, when the ink 2 is coated on the ink transfer roll l, it has properties as a plastic body, and conversely, after it is applied with energy by the energy applying means 5 and reaches the intermediate transfer roll 6, it becomes an elastic body. It is preferable to have the following properties.

For this reason, the ink 2 of this embodiment preferably has a certain degree of viscoelasticity (complex elasticity having an elastic term and a viscous ring).

The range of viscoelasticity is shown in FIG. 3(A), for example.

As shown in (B), a sample of ink 2 with a diameter of 25 m and a thickness of 2 cranes is given a sinusoidal strain T at an angular velocity of 1 rad/sec in the direction of the arrow shown (shear direction), and the stress σ and phase are When the deviation δ is detected and the complex elastic modulus is found to be 0 lines, then 0 lines - σ/r=c'+iG'G': Storage modulus G#: Loss elastic modulus Storage elastic modulus G' and loss elastic modulus G' The value of the ratio G'7G' is approximately 0.
Those having a value of 1 to 10 are preferably used.

In the complex modulus of elasticity, if the G'/G' is less than 0.1, the behavior as a plastic body will be insufficient, and the ink coating on the ink transport roll l will be insufficient, and the G' This is because when /G' exceeds 10, the behavior as an elastic body becomes insufficient, and elastic recovery from the energy application means 5 to the intermediate transfer roll 6 becomes insufficient.

Note that the size of the sample and the method of applying distortion are values that are considered appropriate for the recording apparatus.

Next, the coating means 4 is arranged upstream of the energy application means 5 with respect to the rotational direction of the ink transport roll l, and is for coating the surface of the ink transport roll 1 with the ink 2 in a constant layer thickness. be. In this embodiment, the coating means 4 comprises a coating member 4 arranged at a constant distance from the circumferential surface of the ink transport roll 1, as shown in FIG. Incidentally, the ink transfer roll l
The ink 2 can be accommodated in the gap between the coating member 4 and the coating member 4, thereby forming an ink reservoir 3.

The distance d between the coating member 4 and the ink transfer roll l is the distance d+ on the upstream side of the rotational direction of the ink transfer roll l.
is thick (and gradually becomes smaller toward the downstream side), and the layer thickness of the ink layer supplied to the ink transport roll l is regulated by the interval (minimum interval) d8 at the most downstream position. In this case, it is preferable to set the spacing tin at the most downstream position to approximately 0.3 to 3 mm.

On the other hand, the layer thickness is regulated by the coating member 4, and the thickness of the ink layer coated on the surface of the ink transfer roll 1 is controlled by the coating member 4 and the ink transfer roll l due to the balancing effect of the viscoelastic material. Usually, the distance is slightly larger than the distance d8 at the most downstream position. In this case, it is desirable to set the distance d3 to be slightly smaller than the thickness of the ink layer to be set.According to the knowledge of the present inventor, in the coating method of this embodiment, the ink transfer roll l is During high-speed rotation (for example, at a circumferential speed of about 59 wm/3 or more), the thickness of the ink layer was sometimes smaller than the distance d8. In this case, it is desirable to set the distance d to be slightly larger than the thickness of the ink layer.

The layer thickness of the fluid ink 2 formed on the surface of the ink transfer roll 1 depends on the fluidity or viscosity of the ink 2, the material or roughness of the surface of the ink transfer roll 1, or the rotational speed of the roll 1. It is preferable that the distance at the ink transfer position where the ink transfer roll 1 faces the intermediate transfer roll 6 is about 0.1 to 5 cm, more preferably about 0.5 to 3 cm, although it varies depending on the situation.

If the layer thickness of this ink 2 is Q, less than 1 m, it will be difficult to form a uniform ink layer on the ink transfer roll 1, and if the layer thickness exceeds 5 fi, the surface layer of the ink layer will be moved at a uniform circumferential speed. However, it becomes difficult to transport the ink 2, and it also becomes difficult to energize the ink transport roll l from the energy applying means 5 via the ink 2.

Further, it is preferable that the surface roughness of the coating member 4 that comes into contact with the ink 2 is denser than the surface roughness of the ink transfer roll 1.

In this way, the force for transporting the fluid ink 2 by the ink transport roll 1 becomes larger than that by the coating member 4, and the surface of the ink transport roll 1 is more effectively coated with ink.

Next, the energy application means 5 will be explained. Although it may be possible to apply thermal energy using a conventional thermal head, in this embodiment, from the point of view of energy efficiency, a recording electrode 5 is used to apply electrical energy. I am trying to apply it.

As shown in FIG. 4, the recording electrode 5 has a structure in which a plurality of electrode elements 5b made of metal such as copper are arranged in a row on a base 5a made of glass epoxy, alumina, glass, etc. An insulating film 5c made of polyimide or the like is provided on a portion of the element 5b other than the tip, that is, a portion other than the portion that contacts the ink 2, and the ink transfer roll 1 is grounded with a ground 10. 1 and electrode element 5b
The configuration is such that electricity can be applied through the ink 2 between the two.

The portion of the electrode element 5b exposed from the insulating film 5c is preferably plated with gold, platinum, rhodium, or the like, and from the viewpoint of durability, platinum plating is more preferable.

When the recording electrode 5 is arranged, it is preferable to arrange it so that the electrode element 5b is slightly immersed in the ink layer formed on the ink transport roll l, as shown in FIG. θ~1■, more preferably (about 0.
Set to 1 to 0.5 cranes. By slightly immersing it in the ink layer in this way, the energizing effect can be further enhanced.

Incidentally, even if the electrode element 5b is immersed in the ink layer as described above, there is no problem because the ink 2 has viscoelasticity.

In addition, as described above (when the electrode element 5b is immersed in the ink layer), the end surface of the substrate 5a and the electrode element 5b in FIG.
It is preferable that the level difference with the end face of the electrode is in the range of about 0 to 1 GOn, and if possible, there is no level difference on both end faces (it is desirable that they are formed on the same surface. This means that if the level difference is large, the electrode Ink image 2 formed by energization from element 5b
This is because there is a risk that the portion a may be rubbed and broken by the end surface of the substrate 5a, resulting in smearing on the recorded image.

For example, when using guar gum crosslinked with borate ions as the crosslinked structure material of the ink 2, the amount of current applied to the recording electrode 5 is the amount required to destroy this crosslinked structure and cause an electrochemical change. Therefore, the amount of electricity required to transfer electrons to and from the crosslinking agent added in a small amount of several hundred pp■ to the ink 2 is sufficient, and in thermal transfer, etc., the thermal head uses thermal energy. It is sufficient to apply a low energy of about 1/1O compared to the amount of current applied when applying , and this energy application makes the ink 2 sticky.

Next, the intermediate transfer roll 6 is to which the energy-applied ink image 2a having adhesive properties is transferred, and the cylindrical member contacts the surface of the ink transport roll l by about 0.
It is arranged above the ink transport roll l with an interval of 1 to 3 squares, is in contact with the ink layer formed on the ink transport roll l, and is configured to be rotatable in the direction of arrow B by a driving means (not shown). There is.

The material constituting the surface of the intermediate transfer roll 6 is as follows:
Although it is possible to use a material similar to the material forming the surface of the ink transfer roll 1, the surface of the intermediate transfer roll 6 may be plated with chrome plating or the like, or made of silicone resin, fluororesin, polyethylene resin, etc. It is preferable to improve the smoothness, stain resistance, or ease of cleaning by coating the intermediate transfer roll 6 with the surface with the ink transfer roll
It is preferable to make the surface smoother than that of the surface.

Further, the adhesive ink image 2a is transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6.
At the ink transfer position where the ink 2 is transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6 and the ink transport roll l,
It is also desirable to apply an appropriate shearing force to the layer. Therefore, the circumferential speed of the intermediate transfer roll 6 is equal to or smaller than the circumferential speed of the surface layer of the ink layer on the ink transport roll 1. Depending on the characteristics of the non-adhesive ink, the circumferential speed of the intermediate transfer roll may be approximately equal to or lower than the circumferential speed of the surface layer of the ink layer, taking into account the elastic deformation of the ink. may also be set slightly larger.

Next, the transfer roll 7 constitutes a transfer means for transferring the ink image 2a transferred and formed on the intermediate transfer roll 6 to the recording paper 8, and has a metal shaft made of nitrile rubber or silicone rubber. A transfer roll 7 formed into a cylindrical shape is pressed against the intermediate transfer roll 6 with a pressing force of about 0.1 to 5 kgf/cm by a spring or the like (not shown), and as the intermediate transfer roll 6 rotates, It rotates in the direction of arrow C, conveys the recording paper 8 in the direction of the arrow by cooperation with the intermediate transfer roll 6, and transfers the ink image 2a formed on the intermediate transfer roll 6 onto the recording paper 8. It is composed of

If a slight amount of transfer remains during the transfer of the ink image 2a to the recording paper 8 due to the environment of the apparatus during recording, the material of the ink 2, etc., the transfer roll 7 may be removed as shown in FIG. A cleaning means 11 is provided downstream in the rotational direction of the intermediate transfer roll 6 from the pressure contact position and in contact with the circumferential surface of the roll 6, and the means 11 removes the ink remaining after transfer from the intermediate transfer roll 6. You can do it like this.

The drive system of the recording device configured as described above is shown in Figure 5 (^)
, is configured as shown in (B), and the rotational force of the motor 12 is applied to the motor shaft 2a and the ink transfer roll 1.
The signal is transmitted to a pulley 12b attached to the shaft of the timing belt 12c via a timing belt 12c. Further, the rotational force of the motor 13 is transmitted to the intermediate transfer roll 6 from a pulley 13a of the motor shaft to a belt 3b attached to the shaft of the intermediate transfer roll 60 via a timing belt 13c. It follows the rotation of 6.

Next, the operation when using the recording apparatus configured as described above will be explained.

When each member is driven as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 6 and the ink transfer roll 1 is rotated in the direction of arrow A,
The fluid ink 2 in the ink reservoir 3 is regulated to a constant layer thickness by the coating member 4. At this time, since the distance d between the coating member 4 and the ink transfer roll l gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotational direction of the ink transfer roll 10, the ink is supplied from the ink reservoir 3 to the surface of the ink transfer roll l. There is less variation in the thickness of the ink layer, and an ink layer with a smooth surface is formed.

The ink 2 formed in a layer on the surface of the ink transfer roll 1 is transferred as the ink transfer roll 1 rotates,
At the energy application position where the ink 2 contacts the recording electrode 5, a patterned voltage corresponding to the image signal is applied from the recording electrode 5 controlled by a control means (not shown), and a current is applied to the electrode element in accordance with this. The ink flows from the ink 5b to the ink transport roll l via the ink 2, and, for example, the crosslinking structure in the ink 2 changes due to an electrochemical reaction, thereby imparting selective tackiness to the ink 2.

The selectively sticky ink 2 is further conveyed in the direction of arrow A from the contact portion of the recording electrode 5, and reaches the transfer position where the intermediate transfer roll 6 comes into contact with the layer made of this ink 2. Based on its tackiness, the ink is transferred and developed onto an intermediate transfer roll 6 rotating in the direction of arrow B, forming an ink image 2a on the surface of the roll 6.

The ink image 2a formed on this intermediate transfer roll 6 is
The ink is conveyed as the roll 6 rotates, and is transferred onto the recording paper 8 by pressure contact with the recording paper 8 conveyed to the ink image transfer position. The recording paper 8 on which the ink image 2a has been transferred and recorded is discharged in the direction indicated by the arrow, but if the ink image 2a is not sufficiently fixed, the recording paper 9 is discharged downstream from the ink image transfer position, for example. A known fixing means such as heating or pressure may be provided.

On the other hand, out of the ink 2 transferred by the ink transfer roll l, the ink in the part to which no energy is applied and the part 2 a l of the ink 2 to which energy is applied on the surface of the ink are the intermediate transfer roll 6 The ink is conveyed in the direction of arrow A without being transferred to the ink reservoir 3, and is stored again in the ink reservoir 3. At this time, the ink transfer roll l forming the ink reservoir 3
The gap d between the coating member 4 and the coating member 4 gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side in the rotational direction of the ink transfer roll l, so that the ink 2 accommodated in the ink reservoir 3 moves as the ink transfer roll rotates 10 times. and stir in ink reservoir 3.
mixed. As a result, for example, the ink whose cross-linked structure has been destroyed by the application of energy is promoted to phase linkage, and the cross-linked structure is restored and made usable again before being transferred again by the ink transfer roll 1.

Energy is applied by the recording electrode 5, and the ink image 2a, which has become sticky due to the destruction of the crosslinked structure of the ink 2, is transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6 and developed, but this transfer development is not completed completely.・If not, the undeveloped ink, that is, the ink 2a+ remaining after development returns to a fluid state without stickiness due to recovery of the crosslinked structure by the interphase. However, since this continuous phase phenomenon requires some time, when the recording speed is high, that is, when the rotational speed of the ink transport roll l is high, the remaining ink 2 remains after development.
Before the a l recovers the crosslinked structure, the ink transfer roll l
As the image rotates, it may come into contact with the intermediate transfer roll 6 again and be developed as a ghost on the intermediate transfer roll 6.

At this time, when the ink 2 is stirred, the ions in the ink are diffused and the interphase is promoted, and the difference in pH between the ink remaining after development and the ink in the non-energy-applied area is reduced by the interphase, and the interphase is rapidly reduced. This is a return to the earlier fluid inks that had no tackiness.

As mentioned above, in the recording apparatus of this embodiment, predetermined recording is performed by imparting tackiness to the fluid ink 2 through the electrochemical action caused by electricity supply, so that the ink can be used with small electrical energy. It becomes possible to record on plain paper etc. without waste. Furthermore, since the ink using the crosslinked structure has elasticity, it can significantly reduce image distortion at the area where energy is applied, and it does not require chemical coloring, so it cannot be used for generally known electrochemical recording. This method enables recording with superior image stability and durability compared to the electrolytic recording method, which uses color development based on an oxidation-reduction reaction caused by energization.

Further, the conductivity of the ink 2 is imparted by ionic conduction, and a wide range of ionic substances (many solutions are transparent) can be used as electrolytes for this purpose. Therefore, it is possible to easily obtain ink of any color tone using dyes and pigments.

<Other Embodiments> Next, other embodiments of each part of the above-mentioned embodiment will be described.

(1) Ink transporting means In the above embodiment, a cylindrical ink transporting roll l was used as the ink transporting means, but a belt or sheet-like ink transporting member may also be used as the ink transporting means. You may also use

This belt or sheet-like ink transport member may be fed out from one side and wound up from the other.
It is preferable to use it repeatedly by making an endless motion.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the ink transport roll 1 was made of a conductive material, but as will be described later, if the roll 1 is not to be part of a current-carrying circuit, it is not necessary to make it of a conductive material, and resin, etc. It may be composed of an insulator.

(2) Fluid ink In the above embodiments, tackiness was imparted by applying energy, and an ink image was formed using the ink to which tackiness was imparted, but the ink portions to which no energy was applied Alternatively, the ink may be made to have adhesive properties, and an ink image may be formed using the ink in the areas to which no energy is applied.

(3) Coating means In the above embodiment, a fixing member was used as the coating means, but instead of the fixing member, as shown in FIG. The coating means may be configured by arranging the following.

In FIG. 7, the rotating roll 14 is arranged at a constant distance from the ink transport roll L, and the roll 14 is moved in the direction of arrow E (clockwise) or in the direction of arrow F (clockwise) as the ink transport roll 1 rotates. It is configured to be rotatable in a counterclockwise direction. Note that 14a is a member for forming the ink reservoir 3. In this case as well, as in the embodiment described above, the gap d between the ink transfer roll 1 and the rotating roll 14 gradually decreases from the gap d1 on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the ink transfer roll 1 (7) toward the downstream, and reaches a maximum. The ink layer thickness is regulated by the downstream gap dt.

In this case, if the rotating roll 14 is rotated in the direction of arrow E in FIG. The thickness of the ink layer to be coated can be adjusted by changing the rotational speed of the rotating roll 14. Also, by rotating the rotating roll 14, the thickness of the ink layer in the ink reservoir 3 can be adjusted. The ink can be stirred and mixed more effectively.

Next, regarding the difference in the ink transport force between the ink transport roll l and the coating means 4, in the above embodiment, the surface roughness of the ink transport roll 1 is made rougher than the surface roughness of the coating member 4, so that the ink transport roll Although the ink transfer force of the coating member 1 was made larger than that of the coating member 4,
As another configuration, the patent application filed by the applicant in 1982-1
For example, the surface of the coating member 4 is made of silicone resin, fluororesin, polyethylene resin, etc., and the surface energy of the coating member 40 is lower than the surface energy of the ink transfer roll l. By doing so, a difference may be created in the ink transport force between the ink transport roll 1 and the coating member 4.

Furthermore, in addition to the above-mentioned surface roughness relationship and surface energy reduction, magnetic particles are contained in the fluid ink 2 and a magnet is provided inside the ink transport roll 1, so that the ink on the ink transport roll 1 is The transfer force may be made larger than that of the coating member 4.

(4) Energy application means In the embodiment described above, when energizing the ink 2, the ink transport roll 1 is energized from the recording electrode 5 through the ink 2. In this case, the electrochemical change in the ink 2 due to the energization will occur because a particularly high pH area and a particularly low pH area are formed adjacent to each other on the surface of the ink layer. Stirring is effective because it is sufficient to stir only the surface layer of the ink layer.

Further, when electricity is applied between the recording electrode 5 and the ink transport roll 1 as in the above-mentioned embodiment, as shown in FIG. In particular, the lower portion 2C is formed relatively apart. In this case, when energizing the recording electrode 5 according to the image signal,
Immediately after applying a current in one direction, if a voltage is applied in the opposite direction and a current is applied, the pH of the image area increases (changes and the crosslinked structure is destroyed), as shown in Figure 8 (B). Immediately after the changed area 2d, the pH increases in the opposite direction (changed non-image area 2e).
is formed. Therefore, stirring is effective because phase linkage due to pH ion diffusion is performed more quickly.

Furthermore, such an energization method also prevents the trailing development of the image that occurs when the recording electrode 5 rubs the image area where the viscosity has decreased.

Furthermore, although the energy applying means described above applies electrical energy, it may also apply thermal energy. In this case, a conventionally used thermal head may be used to apply gel heat. However, if it is necessary to prevent electrochemical electrode reactions,
It is sufficient to apply an alternating signal that is sufficiently faster than the signal application period.

When forming an image by applying thermal energy as described above,
Ink 2 remaining after development that was not transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6
When cooled, the ink 2 al becomes a sol in contact with other gel-like inks when it is stirred in the ink reservoir 3. This speeds up the recovery of the crosslinked structure.

In addition, when electricity is applied to ink to generate heat, conventionally the ink contains conductive powder (mostly black) to give it conductivity (Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-40627). While the ink color is limited to black, the ink 2 according to this embodiment is imparted with conductivity by ionic conduction as described above, so that it is possible to obtain an ink of any color tone.

(5) Intermediate transfer medium In the above-mentioned embodiment, the intermediate transfer roll 6 was used as the intermediate transfer medium, but like the ink transfer means, this also does not need to be in the form of a roll to transfer a metal or plastic film in one direction. Alternatively, it may be used as an endless belt.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the ink may be directly transferred from the ink transport roll 1 to the recording paper 8 without providing an intermediate transfer medium.

(6) Cleaning means In the embodiment described above, an example was shown in which a cleaning means 11 was provided in order to remove the remaining ink transferred to the recording paper 8 from the intermediate transfer roll 6, but the ink image 2a on the recording paper 8 was
When the image is completely transferred, it is not necessary to provide the cleaning means 11.

(7) Recording medium In the configuration in which the ink image 2a on the ink transport roll 1 is directly transferred to the recording medium without providing the intermediate transfer roll 6 as described above, when paper is used as the recording medium. It is preferable to use coated paper with a smooth surface coated so that the solvent of the ink 2 does not penetrate.Also, from the point of view of facilitating the selection of the material for the fluid ink 2, plastics such as polyester, Alternatively, a film made of metal such as aluminum is more preferably used in view of its surface characteristics.

In the configuration in which the intermediate transfer roll 6 is provided as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, there is no problem in using so-called plain paper as the recording medium, and there are no particular restrictions on the paper quality.

Experimental Results> Next, the results of an experiment in which recording was performed using the recording device described above will be shown.

Recording was performed as follows using the recording apparatus shown in the example of FIG.

First, fluid ink 2 was made up of the following components.

After uniformly mixing the A component while heating it to 70°C, a gel-like fluid ink was obtained by adding the B component and leaving the mixture at room temperature.

Next, as the ink transfer roll 1, a stainless steel roll with a diameter of 40 mm is used, and the surface is finished by sandblasting or thermal spraying to a surface roughness of about 100n, and the coating member 4 is made of polyacetal resin. The minimum distance d between the ink transport roll 1 and the ink transport roll 1 is
, 311112 cranes, and the cranes were arranged at a spacing d3-6 cranes at 45° upstream from the most downstream, and the spacing d gradually became smaller from upstream to downstream.

Further, as the intermediate transfer roll 6, an iron roll having a diameter of 40 mm and whose surface was plated with hard chrome was used, and the distance from the ink transfer roll 1 was set to 2 mm.

Further, as the transfer roll 8, a roll having a silicone rubber layer of 5 mm thick on an iron roll with a diameter of 10 mm is used, and the intermediate transfer roll 6 is pressed with a pressing force of 0.1 kgf/cs. 6 and rotated at a constant speed.

In the above configuration, the number of rotations of the intermediate transfer roll 6 is approximately 18
rp- and rotate the ink transfer roll 1 at about 18
When rotated with rp-, the ink 2 is applied to the coating member 4.
An ink layer was formed on the surface of the ink transfer roll 1 to a thickness of 2 mm, and was not transferred to the intermediate transfer roll 6 when no energy was applied.

Further, the surface of the ink layer is prepared by using a recording electrode 5 having an electrode element 5b exposed only at the tip with an area of 100JFII x 100* as shown in FIG. When 14 pulses of 15 V as shown in FIG. 11 were applied through the ink 2 using the electrode as a cathode, a current of about 2 A was flowing per one electrode element 5b.
A clear image of 100m x 150n was obtained with a pitch of 500n.

<Effects of the Invention> As described above, the present invention has the following advantages:
This eliminates the need for an ink ribbon having a solid ink layer as in the past, and enables recording with extremely low running costs.

If a large amount of energy is applied by energizing, it becomes possible to record with about 1/10 the amount of energization compared to thermal transfer recording using a conventional thermal head, reducing running costs in terms of energy consumption. I can do it.

Furthermore, by arranging the ink transport means and the coating means in a certain relationship, it is possible to form a uniform ink layer on the ink transport means, and the ink after image transfer can be effectively stirred and mixed, resulting in the formation of a recorded image. This has effects such as being able to prevent the occurrence of ghost images and trailing, and making it possible to obtain recorded images of high quality.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective explanatory view thereof, and FIG. 3 (^). (B) is an explanatory diagram showing the method of measuring viscoelasticity, Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the recording electrode, Figs. 5 (A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams of the configuration of the drive system, and Fig. 6 is the drive timing. Chart, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which the coating means is composed of a rotating member, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the state of chemical change due to energization, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which no intermediate transfer roll is provided. . l is an ink transport roll, 2 is ink, 2a is an ink image,
3 is an ink container, 4 is a coating means, 5 is an energy application means, 5a is a substrate, 5b is an electrode element, 5c is an insulating film, 6 is an intermediate transfer roll, 7 is a transfer roll, 8 is a recording paper, 9a, 9b are A pair of discharge rolls, IO is ground, 11 is a cleaning means, 12 is a motor, 12a, 12b,
12c and 12d are pulleys, 12e is a timing belt,
13 is a motor, 13a. 13b is a pulley, 13c is a timing belt, and 14 is a rotating roll.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A recording device capable of transferring fluid ink to a recording medium in response to selective application of energy, comprising: an ink transport means for transporting the fluid ink; and an ink transport means for transporting the fluid ink. energy applying means for selectively applying energy to the ink; a transfer means for transferring the ink, the transfer characteristics of which have changed in response to the selective application of the energy, to a recording medium; and the energy applying means. coating means for supplying ink at a constant thickness to the ink transport means, the coating means being arranged opposite to the ink transport means on the upstream side in the direction of ink transport by the ink transport means; A recording apparatus characterized in that a gap between the coating means and the coating means gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side. (2) The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coating means comprises a rotatable roller member. (3) The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fluid ink transport force by the coating means is smaller than the fluid ink transport force by the ink transport means. (3) The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy applying means applies electrical energy. (4) The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink to which energy is selectively applied by the energy applying means is transferred onto a recording medium via an intermediate transfer medium.